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| Ernie Alexander |
| born: 27 January 1898 Terry, South Dakota, United States of America |
died: 16 June 1945 Los Angeles, California, United States of America (coronary occlusion, age 47) |
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American actor. He began working in Mack Sennett comedies before shifting over to Hal Roach. Born in Terry, South Dakota to Albert Audley Alexander (1871-1958) and Effie Martha Reed (1872-1954). He had one brother, William Audley Alexander (1895-1987). To add weight to the "Ernie" nickname, the 1900 and 1910 Censuses refer to him as "Ernest" and "Ernest J," though a birth record, as well as all preceding sources, support the order of James Ernest. His WWI draft registration card lists his stats as: medium height, slender build, blue eyes, brown hair. By the time James filled out the card, the family had moved to L.A. (father Albert, a bank teller, is in the LA city directories as early as 1911 -- they are in Colorado in the 1910 Census).
On 31 Mar 1923, James Ernest married Marjorie E. MacDonald (1904-1999) in Santa Ana, California. At the time, J.E. was a salesman for the Standard Oil Co. By the 1928 city directory, however, James was an actor. While 1930 Census profession says "none," he continued to be listed as an actor in the 1929, 1930, 1932, 1934 and 1936 city directories (cannot find 1931, 1933 or 1937). As for 1938, 1939 and 1942 (the other ones available to me), I "lose" him, though the 1940 Census has him as a bit player in the movie industry. He died of coronary occlusion (15 hours) due to coronary thrombosis and coronary heart disease (4 years); he previously suffered from coronary thrombosis two years prior to his more recent and fatal bout. He succumbed at his home (2055 Fox Hills Drive, Los Angeles, California), and was working as a make-up artist for Paramount at the time of his death. He was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. His widow, Marjorie, died in 1999. *At least one source gives dates of 11 Feb 1890, Wichita, Kansas - 12 Dec 1961, Los Angeles, California. Based on extensive and trustworthy research made by Jesse Brisson, this information is now considered inaccurate. |
| Real name: James Ernest Alexander Height: 5'8¼" |
Films listed on this page: complete Hal Roach filmography; plus 1 film with Laurel & Hardy; plus 1 Our Gang film. |
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